Calgary
A New Solution To Clean Energy That Creates Jobs Is Closer Than You Think
Grant Strem grew up in Calgary, where he attended the U of C to pursue a degree in Geology, followed by a Masters in Geology and Geophysics, specializing in Reservoir Characterization. A former oil and gas sector employee, Grant’s interest in science, space propulsion systems and extreme oxidation processes led him to his current position as Chairman and CEO of Proton Technologies Inc.
A local Calgary company launched in 2015, Proton Technologies is currently at the forefront of tech development in the global energy sector. Unearthing the latest in green energy, Proton’s team of experts is exploring a new approach to clean, affordable energy called Hygenic Earth Energy (HEE). This technology has the potential to alter the course of the climate crisis while simultaneously revitalizing the Canadian oil and gas industry.
According to Proton Technologies, a significant amount of oil remains in the ground following production due to a number of factors that make it inaccessible or too expensive to recover. With Hygenic Earth Energy, these abandoned reservoirs, whether they be light or heavy oil, gas, or coal beds, will be repurposed to produce pure hydrogen with absolutely zero emissions.
Hygenic Earth Energy is the result of a Proton Technologies Inc. patented technology in which oxygen is injected into petroleum reservoirs causing a chemical reaction that releases energy in the form of heat. This thermal energy then breaks apart existing water molecules, separating hydrogen from oxygen, which then passes through a specialized hydrogen filter known as a palladium membrane. As a result of the membrane, all other gases remain trapped underground, meaning this process effectively yields pure hydrogen with zero emissions, at a fraction of the cost. While the majority of hydrogen production currently comes from Steam Methane Reformers and ranges between $2 and $3 USD/kg, Proton estimates they will be producing hydrogen for the chemical industry, as well as transportation and power generation purposes, for less than $0.50 USD/kg once systems have been fully optimized.
According to Dr. Ian Gates, Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Calgary, HEE has the potential to “change the entire basis for energy on this planet”.
This technology offers a timely and unique compromise between political concerns of the right and the left in Canada. As an economically viable, zero emissions source for clean energy, the potential impact on the climate crisis is extensive. At the same time, if implemented at a large scale, this technology could act as an adrenaline shot to Canadian oil and gas by repurposing abandoned wells and adding jobs to the industry. According to Strem, “All the same skills are needed – from geophysicists to pipefitters and rig hands,” and infrastructure is already in place to house workers and facilitate a relatively smooth transition.
“Nothing will be as cheap as our method for producing energy,” says Strem, “we fully intend to change the world.” Proton Technologies Inc. is currently testing Hygenic Earth Energy technology in Saskatchewan, and believes they will see their first hydrogen sales within the year, with the construction of their first oxygen plant beginning by the end of 2020.
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A family member of five slain students holds a heart sign with their names on it following a court decision in Calgary, Alta., Wednesday, May 25, 2016. Alberta’s highest court is being asked to overturn a review board decision on the stabbing deaths of five young people at a Calgary house party that confined a man to a supervised Edmonton group home. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
By Ritika Dubey in Edmonton
Alberta’s highest court is being asked to overturn a review board decision that confined a man to a supervised Edmonton group home after the stabbing deaths of five young people at a Calgary house party.
The lawyer representing Matthew de Grood argued Wednesday the review board’s decision was biased, citing what she described as political interference from Alberta’s former justice minister.
“The appellant says, ‘I think the conclusion about me is wrong. The board’s conclusion is incorrect and not supported by evidence,”’ Jacqueline Petrie said before the Alberta Court of Appeal. “He says there’s no significant evidence that he’s a risk.”
De Grood, 31, was found not criminally responsible in 2016 for the killings two years earlier of Zackariah Rathwell, Jordan Segura, Kaitlin Perras, Josh Hunter and Lawrence Hong because he was suffering from schizophrenia at the time. Petrie said de Grood has been stable on medication, is at low risk to reoffend and should be allowed to live with his parents while being monitored under a full warrant.
She argued the review board misunderstood medical evidence during the September 2022 review, which deemed de Grood a significant risk despite the assessment showing improvements. She said the board is supposed to recommend the least onerous disposition compatible with public safety and did not do that for de Grood.
The defence lawyer has said the review had been influenced by former justice minister Doug Schweitzer, who weighed in on de Grood’s case in October 2019 after the panel allowed de Grood to transition from institutional care to a supervised group home.
He has been under supervision at a group home. His case is reviewed by the Alberta Review Board yearly to see whether he can transition back into the community while maintaining public safety.
Petrie pointed at de Grood’s “exemplary record,” and that he has been “compliant to the (medical) treatment team.”
“Nobody knew he had schizophrenia (at the time of the stabbings) and needed medication.”
Crown prosecutor Matthew Griener said the board considered a conditional discharge but dismissed it, citing a relapse in schizophrenia symptoms in 2021.
Griener said de Grood’s relapses were brief and happened at the hospital, providing an early window for medical professionals to intervene.
Justice Kevin Feehan said de Grood may be low-risk, but the consequences of even one relapse could be significant.
Reading from an expert’s report, Feehan said: “A low risk to offend doesn’t mean the reoffence would not be severe.”
Some family members of the victims drove from Calgary for the hearing.
Segura’s mother, Patty, said the last nine years have been about de Grood and his rights.
“He should be thankful that he ended up NCR (not criminally responsible) rather than end(ing) with five life sentences for murdering five people,” she said. “He should not be appealing.”
Hunter’s father, Barclay, opposed a potential full release.
“The idea that he wouldn’t be monitored for the rest of his life seems to defy logic, it doesn’t make any sense,” said the father.
Hunter’s mother, Kelly, said the family has had “no healing.”
“We do this every year, at least once. Now, this is the second appeal,” she said. Barclay
Hunter said although there are attempts to reintegrate de Grood into society, he hopes the man is not left on his own with an absolute discharge.
“Regardless of what they say, he killed five people. If that doesn’t stand on its own as a risk factor, then I don’t know what does.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 7, 2023.
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The Scotiabank Saddledome is shown with Calgary’s downtown area in the background on Tuesday, April 25, 2023. A city official says a $1.2-billion deal to replace Calgary’s aging Saddledome with a new NHL arena would come with a 35-year lease that includes a commitment from the owners of the Calgary Flames to stay in the city. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Calgary
A city official says a $1.2-billion deal to replace Calgary’s aging Saddledome with a new National Hockey League arena would come with a 35-year lease that includes a commitment from the owners of the Calgary Flames to stay in the city.
The City of Calgary, Alberta government, Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corp., and Calgary Stampede reached an agreement in principle in late April.
City council’s event centre committee met this morning and asked administration some of the questions that have come up since the deal was announced.
Coun. Andre Chabot says there are concerns from some Calgarians that the lease could be terminated.
Calgary’s general manager of infrastructure services, Michael Thompson, says the city has a commitment from Calgary Sports and Entertainment Corp. that it would stay in the city for the 35-year term of the lease.
No one from the company could immediately be reached for comment.
CSEC owns the Flames in the National Hockey League, the Wranglers in the American Hockey League, the Hitmen in the Western Hockey League and the National Lacrosse League’s Roughnecks.
The $1.2-billion price tag for the event centre project includes $800 million for the new arena, as well as parking, transit improvements, a new community rink and an enclosed plaza.
The Alberta government is not contributing directly to the arena, but has said it plans to fund up to $300 million on public transit and road improvements, site utilities, reclamation and other supportive infrastructure.
The province would also contribute $30 million to cover half the cost of the 1,000-seat community rink if the deal is approved by provincial cabinet and the Treasury Board before the end of summer.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 5, 2023.
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